Gezicht op Parijs met het stadhuis c. 1850 - 1880

This is an anonymous photograph titled ‘Gezicht op Parijs met het stadhuis’ which translates as 'View of Paris with the City Hall'. Although the identity of its creator remains unknown, the photograph offers us a perspective on the cultural and social landscapes of 19th-century Paris. The image captures not only the architectural grandeur of the city but also serves as a window into the era's fascination with urban development and progress. While it presents a panoramic view, the absence of identifiable human figures prompts us to consider the representation of the city as a spectacle divorced from its inhabitants. This absence invites reflection on the power dynamics inherent in urban spaces. Were Parisians displaced in favour of this architecture? The image raises questions about whose stories are told and whose are erased in the narrative of urban life. Despite its anonymity, the photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities embedded within seemingly straightforward depictions of urban landscapes.